Interação microbiana e metanogênese em ruminantes: uma revisão

Abstract

Animal production contributes significantly to the greenhouse gases emission of anthropogenic origin. Enteric and ruminal fermentation produce methane that represents the more important of these gases. This review aimed to analyze the effects of the practices to mitigate methane (CH4) emission in the rumen microbiological interaction. The enteric CH4emitted by ruminants results from the activity of the population of methanogenic Archaea which developed a complex evolutionaryrelationship with protozoa, bacteria, and anaerobic fungi. These microorganisms produce substrates that are used by methanogenic in energy metabolism, generating methane (CH4). In productive terms, it represents a low energetic efficiency, however, CH4 production is a favorable metabolic process for the ruminal ecosystem. The manipulation of the rumen environment in order to reduce CH4emissions and improve the energy efficiency has been based on improved pasture quality, nutritional and food management, animal selection and breeding. In addition, the use of these practices results in shifts in the microbial structure and in the short-term fermentation mechanisms. However, studies in the long-term are recommended evaluating the effects of these techniques on the ruminal environment.